Fujian Tulou - a unique clay kingdom in China

Castles are found everywhere in the world, but castles made of clay are only found in China's Fujian Tulou.

Monday, July 10, 2023

About Fujian Tulou

If you have the opportunity to visit the land of Fujian, China, do not miss visiting the castles built from solid clay like the sand fortresses in historical movies. That unique architecture has attracted many domestic and foreign tourists to learn and admire.

Fujian Tulou

The massive castles are collectively known as the Fujian Tulou. This is a house built with clay materials of the Hakka people and a few ethnic groups living in the mountains of Southeast, Fujian. Currently, there are about 20,000 tulous scattered in the mountains of Southeast Fujian. Of which, 10 are 600 years old and are likened to "living fossils" of ancient Chinese architecture. This complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in July 2008. On its official website, UNESCO has praised the Fujian Tulou as an outstanding example of human settlement forms.

Fujian Tulou is the term given by UNESCO itself for these Chinese buildings. Out of 20,000 tulou, only about 3,000 are recognized as Fujian tulou.

Tu Lou is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site

Unique architecture in Fujian Tulou

Tulou architecture is also known as Hakka architecture, created and built by Hakka people. With the purpose of combining the living area with the fortified fortress architecture, the tulou has only one entrance and no windows on the bottom floor. The gate of this architecture is like a gate of the city.

The earthen walls are built from a mixture of compacted soil with bamboo, nearly 2m thick, very solid. That certainty can prevent enemy attacks. The window panes are made of wood 5 - 6cm thick. The outer layer is reinforced with iron to avoid bows and arrows. When coming here, visitors will be surprised and impressed with this architecture.

Tulou's walls are made of clay

The turrets were built solidly like impregnable fortresses. In 1934, a group of peasants rebelled to occupy a tulou to resist attacks and attacks by the army. There were a total of 19 cannons fired at the earth building but could only leave a small dent.

A large tulou is usually 3-5 floors high, the top floor will be tiled. Inside the tulou is divided into many rooms such as: weapons room, food storage room, worship room, living room, ... In addition, the top floor will build a small attic, design holes for shooting. gun from the inside out.

The entire Thua Khai tutelary has a total of 400 rooms, containing up to 80 households with about 600 people living. The first tutelary court built in Fujian was Qi Yunlou (1371). The tutelary buildings like Thua Khai or Chan Thanh were built more than 300 years ago.

The people living in the tulou still keep their old habits

Although built many centuries ago, Tho Lou Fujian has a unique combination of ancient cultural beliefs and a hint of modern vision. In addition to its unique cultural and historical significance, symbolizing the ancient Chinese ethnic group, Tho Lau is also considered the oldest apartment complex in China. Among the many tulous in this country, the Fujian tulou has the most characteristic meaning, clearly showing the ancient culture.

The Fujian Tulou has historical and cultural significance

Interesting experience in China's Tulou Fujian

Today's Fujian Tulou is planned to serve tourism activities. Visitors can come here to check in, visit with many beautiful shooting angles, tinged with time that nowhere else has.

Super nice check-in corner in Tulou Fujian

Currently, the number of inhabitants living in the Tulous has been steadily decreasing over the years as young people want to seek for themselves more development opportunities in big cities. However, thanks to the policy of promoting the tourism industry, the Fujian Tho Lau houses are always bustling with cultural festivals and business activities.